Duterte takes initial step with anti-US policy

- President Duterte wants the AFP to break off from conducting joint patrol with the United States

- Duterte said that this is a part of implementing a new foreign policy in the country

- Aside from the US, the UN and the EU have also been subjects of the President’s tirades

US forces in Philippines (Photo credit: nytimes.com)

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made a formal announcement today, instructing the Armed Forces of the Philippines to break cease conducting the joint patrol with the United States. The President also addressed the contested area as the South China Sea instead of the West Philippine Sea.

According to Duterte, this is part of the country’s attempt to build a free and new foreign policy.

The President said that the AFP should stop working together with the U.S. in what he deems as a “crazy” naval patrol before the country will be dragged into a war.

The first statement that Duterte gave in relation to this was to pull out the US Special Forces from Mindanao. He said that this would pave the way for peace in the region.

US forces in Philippines (Photo credit: 4gwar.wordpress.com)

Duterte said that despite this, he is not completely breaking off ties with the US.

Since Duterte came into power, it wasn’t only the US that got a taste of his acid-tongue. The UN and the EU were also among the victims.

Just this Thursday, Duterte went to Cagayan De Oro, and in his speech, he said that he does not believe his tough talking manner is the one that is scaring investors. He reiterated his readiness to deal with China and Russia as well.

“Do not keep complaining about my mouth because my mouth is not the problem. It cannot bring down a country,” said President Duterte.

The Philippine president said that the issue is not his mouth. He also spoke about the ratings that the country’s business and the economy have been receiving, and shrugged them off without batting an eyelash.